What are hospitals?

If you mean “what is a hospital?”: a hospital is a healthcare facility that provides diagnosis, treatment, emergency care, surgery, maternity care, and/or inpatient care for people who need medical attention beyond a routine clinic visit.

If you’re looking for a hospital, the best choice depends on your need:

• Emergency symptoms: call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department.
• Non-urgent care: start with your primary care doctor, an urgent care clinic, or your insurer’s hospital network.
• Planned surgery or specialty care: compare hospitals by the relevant specialty, physician experience, accreditation, outcomes, location, insurance coverage, and patient support services.